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Today, Union Pacific Railroad announced its board named Eric Butler executive vice president of marketing and sales to succeed Jack Koraleski, who recently was appointed acting president and chief executive officer to fill in for Chairman Jim Young while he is on medical leave receiving treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Most recently vice president and general manager of industrial products, Butler has served UP for 26 years in various leadership roles in the supply, finance and human resources departments.

“Eric has vast knowledge of our operations and customers’ needs,” said Koraleski in a prepared statement. “I am extremely confident in Eric’s ability to lead our marketing and sales team to continue our record-setting performance for customer satisfaction and service while helping us reach our safety and productivity goals, as well.”

UP also promoted Bradley Thrasher to vice president and general manager of industrial products to succeed Butler and Kate Betsworth, to assistant vice president and general manager-UPDS to succeed Thrasher.

Thrasher has served UP in various roles for 24 years. Most recently AVP-industrial products, Betsworth has served the Class I for more than 18 years.

Meanwhile, UP’s board also named Gayla Thal senior vice president-law and general counsel to succeed J. Michael Hemmer, who will serve in an advisory role until he retires later this year, and promoted Michael Whitcomb to vice president-law and chief compliance officer to succeed Thal.

A 32-year UP veteran, Thal previously held various leadership roles in the areas of law, claims and risk management. Most recently AVP-law, Whitcomb has more than 33 years of experience at UP.

In addition, UP’s board promoted Bob Belt to AVP-law to succeed Whitcomb. Most recently general solicitor, he has served the railroad for 13 years.